TOPIC: FILIPINO CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL

COMPOSERS

Ferdinand P. Dela Cruz

Teacher
At the end of the lesson, the learners should
be able to:

 1. Describes features of traditional and

works of contemporary Filipino composers.

 2. Performs selections of contemporary

Philippine music.

 3. Appreciate the contemporary Philippine

music through singing and listening.
 1. What are the different types of African Music?

 2. Kindly give an example of African Traditional

Musical Instruments?
FILIPINO CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL
COMPOSERS
 –refers to the songs that have
been pass down from our
forefathers to future
generations and are
commonly referred to as folk
songs
 According to National Artist Dr. Ramon Santos,
“contemporary music in the Philippines refers to
compositions that have adopted ideas and
elements from 20th century art music in the west,
as well as the latest trends and musical styles in
the entertainment industry.”

 The modern Filipino repertoire consists of musical

pieces that have been written in 20th century
idioms that have evolved out of such stylistic
movements as impressionism, expressionism, neo-
classicism, as well as avant garde and new music.
With Spain and then America having colonized the
Philippines from the early 1500s to the late 1800s, it
was unavoidable that Western compositional
techniques found their way into the works of Filipino
composers. Yet, even 20th century Filipino composers
have managed to retain some traditional elements in
their assimilation of Western techniques. In fact, they
have become the strongest foundations of what we
now know as Philippine music.
Among the major Philippine contemporary
composers are Francisco Santiago, Nicanor Abelardo,
Antonio Molina, Lucio San Pedro, Rosendo Santos Jr.,
Ryan Cayabyab, Herminio Jose Lualhati Alcasid, Jr. and
Moira Rachelle Bustamante Cruzado Dela Torre -
Hernandez
 Francisco Santiago is
known as the “Father of
the Kundiman” and
belongs to the
“Triumvirate of Filipino
Composers.” He
finished his music
specialization at the
American Conservatory
of Music in Chicago,
where he obtained his
Doctorate Degree in
1924.
 Among his famous works are Pakiusap,
Madaling Araw, Sakali Man, Hibik ng Pilipinas,
Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran, and Kundiman
(Anak Dalita). This piece was sung before the
Royal Court of Spain upon the request of King
Alfonso II. He was also a musical director for
films. Among the films whose music he
supervised are Kundiman, Leron Leron Sinta,
Madaling Araw, Manileña, and the movie
inspired by his own composition Pakiusap. He
became the first Filipino Director of the UP
Conservatory of Music.
 Nicanor Abelardo is one of the
“Triumvirate of Filipino
Composers” which includes
Antonio Molina and Francisco.
He studied music at the
Chicago Music College and was
influenced by the musical styles
of Schoenberg, Hindemith and
Stravinsky. Although a 20th
century modern composer in
style, he is also considered a
composer in the Romantic style.
His best-known compositions
include Bituing Marikit, Mutya
ng Pasig and Nasaan Ka Irog,
 Antonio Molina, the
FIRST NATIONAL ARTIST FOR
MUSIC, is considered one of the
“Triumvirate of Filipino
Composers” which includes
Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco
Santiago. H began his music
career as an orchestral soloist at
the Manila Grand Opera House.
 He served as Dean of the Centro
Escolar University Conservatory
of Music from 1948 to 1970. He
was also a faculty member of the
University of the Philippines’
Conservatory (now College) of
Music.
 He is best known for his poignantly
romantic serenade for violin and piano
Hatinggabi.

 He received the National Artist for

Music award in 1973. He passed away
on January 29, 1980.
 Lucio San Pedro was born on
February 11, 1913 in Angono,
Rizal. Since his elementary
days, he started composing.
He studied the banjo which
inspired him to become a
serious musician. He later
pursued his music degree at
the University of the
Philippines and the Juilliard
School in New York, USA.
Upon returning to the
Philippines, he became a
professor of theory and
composition at the University
of the Philippines’ College of
Music.
San Pedro is known as a “romantic
nationalist.” He incorporated
Philippine folk elements in his
compositions with Western forms
and harmony. His chords have a
rich expressive tonality, as
represented in his well-loved Sa
Ugoy ng Duyan, a lullaby melody
sung by his mother.
 Ryan Cayabyab is a
popular contemporary
composer who also has
classical compositions
to his credit, such as
Misa, Four Poems for
Soprano and Piano,
and Te Deum. His
compositional style
makes much use of
syncopation, extended
chords, and chromatic
harmony.
 Among his numerous compositions
are the award-winning KayGanda ng
Ating Musika (1978), as well as the
modern zarzuela Alikabok (2003), the
opera Spoliarium with libretto Fides
Cuyugan-Asensio, and a variety of
choral pieces and cycles. He also
produced a number of recordings,
including the memorable album One,
where he personally sang the
unaccompanied songs on different
tracks to produce 16 voices.
Cayabyab was born on May 4, 1954 in Manila.
He obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at
the University of the Philippines’ College of
Music. After which, he became a faculty
member for Composition at the same
University. He also served as the Executive
and Artistic Director of the San Miguel
Foundation for the Performing Arts, which
over saw the operations and programming of
the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and
the San Miguel Master Chorale. At present, he
continues to be a much sought-after
professor, musical director, composer,
arranger, and conductor in the Philippine
concert and recording scenes.
 HERMINIO JOSE
LUALHATI ALCASID, JR.
was born on August 27,
1967, better known as
“Ogie Alcasid, is a
Filipino song-writer ,
television presenter,
comedian, parodist and
actor.
 He is also the current
president of OPM
(Organisasyon ng
Pilipinong Mang-aawit.
 Some of his works are,
Bakit Ngayon ka Lang,
Nandito Ako, Pangarap
ko ang Ibigin Ka,
Kailangan Kita, Ikaw
lamang, Huwag Ka lang
Mawawala
 MOIRA RACHELLE
BUSTAMANTE CRUZADO
DELA TORRE - HERNANDEZ
was born November 4,
1993, known as Moira
dela Torre, is a Filipina
singer-songwriter.
 She rose to fame for her
covers of Imago’s “Sundo”,
Moonstar 88’s “Torete”,
and the Himig Handog
winning single “Titibo-
tibo”.
 Some of her
compositions are
Mabagal, Paubaya,
Tagpuan, Kumpas,
Ikaw at Ako,
Malaya, Babalik Sa
Iyo, etc.
 Fill
in the blank with the
appropriate lyrics of the song.
Select your answer inside the box.
duyan, inang, magmaliw, bituin, nanay
 Sana’y di ________
magmaliw ang dati kong araw,
 Nang munti pang bata, sa piling ni nanay,
 Nais kong maulit, ang awit ni _______mahal,
inang

 Awit ng pag-ibig habang ako’y nasa duyan.

 Sa aking pagtulog, na labis ang himbing,

 Ang bantay ko’y tala, ang tanod ko’y ______.
bituin
 Sa piling ni _______,
nanay langit ay buhay,
 Puso kong may dusa, sabik sa ugoy ng duyan
_______
 Listen to the following music, and try to analyze their
musical, characteristics by supplying the needed answer in
the table.
Bayan Ko by Bakya Mo
Ang Pipit by
Sample Music Constancio De Neneng by
Levi Celerio
Guzman Santiago Suarez
Dynamics (soft,
moderate, loud)
Tempo (slow,
moderate, fast)
Meter (duple, triple,
quadruple)
Mood ( happy, sad,
love, lazy, energetic)

Melody ( Higher
notes, Lower Notes)
 Bayan Ko by Bakya Mo Neneng
Ang Pipit by Levi
Sample Music Constancio De by Santiago
Celerio
Guzman Suarez

Dynamics (soft,
moderate, loud) moderate soft moderate
Tempo (slow,
moderate, fast) fast slow fast
Meter (duple,
triple, duple triple triple
quadruple)
Mood ( happy,
sad, love, lazy, happy sad love
energetic)
Melody ( Higher
notes, Lower lower higher higher
Notes)
Read each statement carefully and answer.

 1. Refers to compositions that have adopted

ideas and elements from 20th century art music
in the west, as well as the latest trends and
musical styles in the entertainment industry.
A. Romantic Music C. Classical Music
B. Contemporary Music D. Baroque Music

2. He was known as the “Father of Kundiman”

A. Nicanor Abelardo C. Levi Celerio
B. Francisco Santiago D. Ryan Cayabyab
 3. The First Filipino National Artist for Music
___________________
A. Ryan Cayabyab C. Levi Celerio
B. Francisco Santiago D. Antonio Molina

 4. Who the current president of the OPM or Organisasyon

ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit?
A. Nicanor Abelardo C. Herminio Jose Lualhati Alcasid, Jr.
B. Francisco Santiago D. Antonio Molina

 5. “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” was composed by

_________________
A. Nicanor Abelardo C. Lucio San Pedro
B. Francisco Santiago D. Antonio Molina
Write your insights about the lesson
discussed using the prompts below:

 I understand that_______________________
 I realized that _________________________
 I’ve learned that _______________________
 Create an improvised musical instrument and
choose between the song “Pilipinas kong
Mahal or Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” that
you are going to accompany and sing. Use
the rubrics below: